Miscellaneous Missives

"The house without a dog, a cat or a baby: a house without cheer and laughter. ~Scots Gaelic triad "The spiritual quality of a house is derived from its inhabitants. When owners are away, the house seems soulless and empty." from The Celtic Spirit Having a pet in the house does change the feeling or atmosphere of the house. When KK is gone, I notice a difference. Maybe he feels the same way when I am gone. Although I haven't been absent from the house, I was gone every night after work this week leaving the home empty most of the time. Later in the evening when I did return home, it was always the same. He was happy to see me at first; then snubbed me. Yesterday, when I returned home, it was different since I returned earlier. Perhaps it's a good thing we have each other... a house with cheer and laughter and soul. Gratitudes and Gifts 1) Kitty Klaus 2) a day to be productive 3) having time to breakfast two days in a row

Everyone knows what they say about Karma being a bitch. Today this came to fruition. When the committee I co-chair set up dates for the next meeting, I said today was the only day I couldn't make. Although this was a over a week ago, I already had plans to make sure I went to BodyFlow at 4:00. The other co-chair and the remainder of the committee scheduled the meeting for this afternoon without knowing my other obligation. At noon I checked with one of the members to make sure everything was ready to go and admitted to the reason I wouldn't be attending knowing she probably wouldn't say anything. As planned I skipped the meeting and went to BodyFlow, a class I hadn't attended since my most recent shoulder problems. It's seems there's a ton of shoulder work in this class (combination yoga, Pilates, and Tai chi). This caused enough shoulder irritation that I had to leave within the first fifteen minutes of class. Maybe I should have attended the meeting af...

I rarely give tests, but today and tomorrow I'm giving a two part test. Tomorrow when they're finished with the test, they will be reading quiet. This has been grand. All of their work is graded, and all e-mails have been answered. I have even started working on next week's lesson plans. Although I've had quite a few parents at conferences tonight, I have even been allowed time to post to my blog while my room is empty. Life is good. Life is good because... 1) I am caught up at school. 2) I ate out for lunch and will eat out for dinner. 3) The sun is shining.

I have nothing... nothing but thankfulness! Giving thanks for... 1) music especially during workouts 2) the new pt will be fine 3) a new Bookmarks magazine

Tonight's conferences went fairly well. I, however, tried to make a list of every parent who visited. This worked until I was "slammed." All of a sudden my room was full, and all I could do was try my best to talk to parents and get them on to the next teacher. Highlights? * the parent that said, "You seem like a "real" person. Tell me is my daughter attending school with a bunch of thugs?" * the child that wanted to attend summer school because life at home in the summer was boring. * the two brothers that did their best to show that they were the better student as the interpreter tried to catch up * angel food cake and brownies with dinner * the student that admitted that now that he was behaving, I was a nicer teacher... go figure * the student that has said he was moving for at least three weeks... he's really moving, and I made him come to conferences because I didn't believe him. My list of Thanks 1) conferences going fairly well 2) ...

I have continued working out and doing my shoulder exercises as prescribed. Although it does take some time to get through everything, I have been faithful. The good news is that I can lift my arm over my head. The bad news is part of me wants to challenge it and see how far I can go. My heart says, "Let's try some floor push-ups tonight instead of wall push-ups", but my mind says, "Maybe we should wait and talk to the PT." We'll see how tonight goes. Let's say thanks for... 1) Snickerdoodle almond cookies and working out 2) short meetings 3) acupuncture

"...that progress is not the goal anyway but presence..." I perked up a bit when I heard this line in church this morning. This is something I've been thinking about lately. Maybe I didn't have words for it, but my mind has been challenged by it. It comes to mind when I am overwhelmed with everything that needs to be done. Nothing gets done well, but everything gets done although merely average. Sometimes I really need to relax and take time for myself... relax and take time to breath. Yesterday I did this by working out, reading, and spending the entire evening watching the Olympics with a friend. The problem is that today I need to face reality again. Today I will not be present, but I will be trying to make progress on school forms. Some day I plan on being present and making progress but not today. Time to Give Thanks 1) talking with my dad 2) time to reflect 3) colored pencils for coloring during church

Today has been super crazy, and I accomplished quite a bit including watching Apollo Ono with a friend. Basically I am merely posting my gratitudes. Thanks 1) shoe goo and naturally and mysteriously flavored gum drops 2) friends and the Olympics 3) the coloring book with devotions for Advent

As I left work, my plan was to let the appraiser in (refinancing) and go to Body Flow (4:00). Although I knew it would be difficult to get there, I thought it was possible. Of course things do not always go as planned. The appraiser showed up at 3:25 instead of 3:00 which made it impossible to get to Midtown. By the time the appraiser had left, I went from planning to work out to debating whether I should drive or walk to Chipotle. I did get enough motivation to walk, but that was the last motivation of the day. This means my evening will be spent on the couch reading. I give thanks... 1) People who listen to me vent. 2) People who answer my questions even when I have a lot (Thanks M!). 3) Chipotle and Fridays

Today we had a field trip. I love this field trip because it focuses on courage and because the teachers aren't needed every second of the day. In fact, I used the time to book my flight to Mexico and call my travel agent. As I was booking the flight, I was supposed to leave and join everyone. Since I was in the middle of sending I couldn't go immediately when summoned. Later as I was part of the group walking around, my cell phone went off and of course I didn't have it on vibrate. This did not allow such a great day especially since I was called out about this mishaps as our principal game to visit. The good news is that he has a sense of humor. I give thanks for... 1) technology (even if I get in trouble with it) 2) sunshine 3) a deck cleared of snow and a hotel booked

This afternoon I was messaging a friend who has been feeling lousy. In the conversation it was mentioned that she will be in Mexico in four weeks. Feeling jealous I decided to see if I had enough frequent flier miles to get me to Mexico. It seems I do. The last time I went to Zihaut, I absolutely loved it. We stayed in a wonderful little hotel on the beach. Since I have enough miles, I am now looking into the hotel by checking with my travel agent and trying to get a reservation online. I'm not sure that there will be a room available, but if there is, I'm going. This may or may not work out, but if it does, I will need an electronic book thingy. Does anyone have any ideas on which would be the best? I want to be able to download books and read on the beach... in the sun of course. Let me know. Today I am thankful... 1) my first class at school is incredible 2) frequent flier miles and hope of a hotel 3) finding someone to give me an estimate on snow removal from th...

First I would like to mention that since there are two posts today, there may not be a post tomorrow. "That I might search all books and from their chart, Find my soul's calm!" ~ St. Columba's "Song of Exile" Over the long weekend I was able to do quite a bit of reading. Reading is always a way for me to relax. After reading this quote, I realized reading is more to me. It is a place to lose myself and find myself. My beliefs are strengthened and questioned. Most of the time I will try to finish a book even if I don't appreciate it looking for "the nugget" that perhaps I missed. Recently I put a book down after fifty pages. Tonight after talking to another person who read the book, I questioned my decision. After looking at it again tonight, I know I made the correct decision to quit reading. Reading is something I do for a variety of reasons. Today one of those was to keep myself occupied while waiting. The chiropractor and I were ...

Tomorrow starts the Lenten season. This year I am going to recycle past Lenten practices. One thing I'm going to do is post three things for which I am thankful. I am going to pray the Rosary again but only once a week. Of course I will add extra devotional/Bible reading time. Maybe for the next six weeks these three practices will make me a better individual. To be honest, posting three gratitudes a day may be the most challenging. In fact some days my post may be merely the three things I'm for which I'm thankful.

I love three day weekends although I'm not quite sure what makes them special. One thing I appreciate is being able to spend more time on fitness. All three days I've been able to walk in to the Y, workout, and walk out. Although in reality today didn't go as planned. Today I walked in through the new snow only to realize the instructor didn't show, so tonight I will drive in for class. The other thing that hasn't gone as planned is my grading of papers. Deciding not to use the weekend (Saturday and Sunday) I procrastinated grading the five paragraph essays. Since today was the day planned for correcting, I am trying to get the motivation. Maybe what I really need is a four day weekend, but wait...

I Want to Write from October Journey by Margaret Walker I want to write I want to write the songs of my people. I want to hear them singing melodies in the dark. I want to catch the last floating strains from their sob-torn throats. I want to frame their dreams into words; their souls into notes. I want to catch their sunshine laughter in a bowl; fling dark hands to a darker sky and fill them full of stars then crush and mix such lights till they become a mirrored pool of brilliance in the dawn. I returned from Avatar to read this in my devotional. For some reason I found it fitting. Watching the movie made me wonder what people who have different political, environmental, and spiritual views from me think as they watch this movie. Are they oblivious? Do they get that we, America in our search for oil, are the bad guys? One criticism of the movie is that it is too simplistic. Of course I would argue that it isn't, but maybe it is and that is what is needed. It seems to me t...

Maybe I'm still spending too much time feeling sorry for myself. Today's post thanks to the latest Generator Blog post.

It's only Tuesday, and I feel as though I've already conquered a full week. I'm hesitant to post because I know it will be full of whining and 'woe is me.' Yesterday I drove through the snow (7-9") to visit the sports medicine doctor. Although I found the visit frustrating, I'm sure the doctor would ditto my sentiments. Basically, my shoulder hurts to the point that putting on clothing and my seat belt hurts. As I've probably posted previously, I was taking four Advil, so I could follow through with Body Pump and Body Flow. Even with the Advil, I was still felling pain. Soooo... While at the doctor's office yesterday we had a conversation about working out and "letting pain be my guide." Then he recommended a Cortisone shot, so I could follow through with physical therapy. This confused me, so I asked, "If the Cortisone is going to lesson or eliminate the pain, how will I use pain as my guide?" From the look on his fac...

Wild Geese by Mary Oliver You do not have to be good. You do not have to walk on your knees for a hundred miles through the desert, repenting. You only have to let the soft animal of your body love what it loves. Tell me about despair, yours, and I will tell you mine. Meanwhile the world goes on. Meanwhile the sun and the clear pebbles of the rain are moving across the landscapes, over the prairies and the deep trees, the mountains and the rivers. Meanwhile the wild geese, high in the clean blue air, are heading home again. Whoever you are, no matter how lonely, the world offers itself to your imagination, calls to you like the wild geese, harsh and exciting-- over and over announcing your place in the family of things. Church this morning began with the invitation to take a deep breath in hold it and release it. We were asked to release the morning's frustrations and those things that we can't really "leave at the door, but we can leave by our chair." As I was bre...

Tomorrow I will watch the Super Bowl. I will admit that I will probably have more interest in the ads than the actual game itself. The controversial Tim Tebow ad irritates me, and I hope the right wing idiots had to pay millions of dollars for the commercial. It will offend me as I'm sure other ad will also offend (maybe another Go Daddy ad). The one thing I do know to be true is that women have the "right to choose" and have the intelligence to choose. I hope the majority of the ads are wonderful, and I hope the Saints win.

Instead of being productive when I returned home (from school, doctor, and book club), I decided to make a video. Do you think I'm perhaps feeling a bit sorry for myself? Create your own video slideshow at animoto.com.

Month of February-- scarce are the dainties; Wakeful the adder to generate its poison; Habitual is reproach from frequent acknowledgment. Recently I bought a book Daily Meditations for the Turning Year: The Celtic Spirit . According to the Celtic tradition, February is the beginning of spring. I tend to think of February more as the wakeful adder generating its poison. February is not the beginning of spring. It is the end of winter. This is a bit difficult to take since I feel like it's been a long cold stretch. Yesterday a new blanket of white snow was spread over the grimy dirty snow and ice. This freshness allows me to appreciate a little more winter. Maybe spring really is approaching.

Tonight I tried Bodyflow. According to the Les Mills website, "BODYFLOW™ is the Yoga, Tai Chi and Pilates workout that leaves you feeling long, strong, centered and calm.It’s your personal time out from the stress and strains of daily life – a 55-minute group exercise-to-music class that enhances your physical and mental well-being." Although I do feel a bit more calm, I also am completely horrified with my lack of balance. I'm not sure that this will help my "mental well-being." The website also states the benefits of Bodyflow: * Improve your joint flexibility and range of movement * Increase your core strength * Improve your cardio-vascular function * Burn calories * Reduce your stress levels * Provide a lasting sense of well-being and calm * Focus your mind and raise your level of consciousness through controlled breathing. It is a class with which I feel I could build a beautiful "love-hate relationship." My goal is ...